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Meeting 15 Oct 2001

Ken Hathaway

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14 May, 2002 from Colin Pearson Prefers: public park Grass: yes Playground: yes Trees: yes Water Feature: yes Benches: Yes Performance Space: yes Pathways: yes Viewing Tower: yes Kiosk: yes Small Shops: yes Cafe: yes Comments: I fully support these initial investigations leading towards keeping the Twickenham Pools Site in Council ownership, an open space for community use, and small scale amenities. The site will become a true extension of the Twickenham Riverside, a benefit to residents, and a tribute to community groups and the new council.

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4 May, 2002 from Anthony Tynan Prefers: public park Grass: yes Playground: yes Trees: yes Water Feature: yes Benches: Yes Performance Space: yes Pathways: yes Kiosk: yes Small Shops: yes Cafe: yes Small Residential: yes Comments: Now the Conservatives are in, what happens? Do we still have a chance to trounce Dawnaday and redeem our preferred plan for this site? Anthony Tynan

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2 March, 2002 from Judy Maciejowska I am deeply shocked at the Development Control Committee's vote on Thursday night to permit the horrendous Dawnay Day scheme. This looks horribly like a Liberal Democrat stitch up. I am appalled at the arrogance of those councillors who feel they can ignore the expert evidence of all those who spoke against the proposals, and I urge everybody who is concerned about our local community and the riverside to support your committee and lobby the Secretary of State to hold a public inquiry. This whole affair is profoundly damaging to the reputation of local politics and democracy. The Liberal Democrats must pay the price in the elections in May. I particularly want to congratulate the riverside terrace committee on all the excellent work you have put in so far. Don't get despondent - this will only serve to gain you more support. Judy Maciejowska Chair Richmond & Twickenham Green Party

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17 Dec from Hazelle Jackson I have previously written to say that I support whole-heartedly the aims of the Twickenham Riverside association. However my experience with a stall I hired at the Craft Fair on the Embankment on Saturday 15th December, has raised some concerns about the footfall and access for the public in this area which I hope are being addressed if any scheme is to make the area an attractive destination. The craft stalls were erected in front of the derelict swimming baths. It soon became clear there there is virtually no casual footfall along this end of the Embankment. (In fact someone came up to tell me they had refused to hire a stall for that very reason). I do not believe this lack of passing trade was due merely to the bitterly cold weather or the derelict state of the baths (or even the winos at the end of Wharf Lane). There were plenty of people around but shoppers who ventured to the top of Water Lane then headed off left along Church Street. Why? Locals may know there is nothing worth seeing at the end of Water Lane but visitors to the area would not know this. But what is there at the top of Water Lane to draw anyone further down it? Nothing at all. (The "award-winning housing" at the river end of Water Lane would not get any prizes from me.) The hideous brick building at the junction of Water Lane and King Street is seriously off putting. (Who remembers the old coaching inn?) Could someone not be induced to grow some ivy or creeper over it? The alternative approach is to stroll along the Embankment from the Church (or indeed from the end of Bell Lane) to where?..... What is the destination when you get there ? ....Wharf Lane? This is just a dull access road for shops. And there is another problem - there is a natural barrier created by the small mooring basin at the end of Water Lane, which prevents a "clear" path along the Embankment. There are also trade vehicles which are by their nature larger than cars and park near the end of the footbridge to Eel Pie Island to serve its residents. On Saturday there were some high trade vans parked, for a lengthy period, on the road by the Eel Pie Island footbridge obscuring the view along the Embankment. This is probably a regular occurrence and contributes to making the Embankment area by the old swimming pool a "dead" area. (It has not however deterred a number of the local "winos" from setting up shop on a bench at the end of Wharf Lane and while they were not threatening, they were calling out comments to passers-by and cannot make the area more desirable for families and tourists and indeed local people. My concerns about how the staffing of a "public" park would address this and similar elements at night, remain. It is a real problem which would need to be addressed.) If the Riverside area is to be made attractive to visitors, then I would suggest an attractive pedestrian circuit needs to be developed to attract people down Water Lane and along the Embankment behind King Street and back up Wharf Lane. It is not clear to me from looking at the drawings of either scheme how this is to be achieved but I am quite willing to accept that I have missed part of the debate on this and would be happy to be updated by someone better informed. Hazelle Jackson Twickenham

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5 Dec from Sarah Hathaway This is a letter to register my support for the Twickenham's old Swimming Bath site to be turned into a Public Park using the plan submitted by the late Ken Hathaway, ARIBA. I would like to register my very strong objection to the plan submitted by the Dawnay Day Development; planning application of the 28th September 2001. Ref 01/2584/ful+01/2583/CAC. This is an opportunity for the town of Twickenham to have a unique riverfront using the Ken Hathaway plan, allowing the community of Twickenham to fully use this beautiful riverside area. An area such as this would provide a sense of center for the town building even stronger community identification, enhancing the already unique beauty of the riverside with the pub, the church and York House Gardens. This area with its historical interest is in desperate need of conservation and sympathetic landscaping, which the Ken Hathaway plan offers. The people of Twickenham would be able to enjoy this beautiful park where you can sit and enjoy the river to meet friends after shopping on the High Street, before enjoying one of the many local restaurants. Over 30 years ago I shared my fathers vision while walking with him along the riverfront in Twickenham as he talked about the idea that would enhance the whole town. A place for the whole community to share and enjoy, bring with it a sense of beauty and serenity to have a riverfront, just a step away from The High Street. One could walk and sit in gardens enriching ones experience of the surrounding area. I believe that this plan would benefit the daily lives for the people of Twickenham in so many ways raising the tempo of the area and the beneficial effect that it would have on the surrounding businesses and community. I look at the proposed development from Dawnay Day Development, with my Honors Degree in 3 D design, and I see it as over scaled and claustrophobic idea with no or very little community benefit that would be of any lasting value; stealing an opportunity from the town, giving nothing but a revocable limited public access that the public would not feel comfortable to use or be able to use in the short time frame they are proposing. I grew up in Twickenham; my family home is in Strawberry hill. For this one time, I would like to see the idea of wealth revalued not with the monetary gain for the Dawnay Day Development Plan which would only line a very few pockets, but as the sense of wealth for all the people of Twickenham enhancing the environment for generations to come. This letter is not motivated by the altruist's interest of the proposed idea of calling the park the Ken Hathaway Memorial Park. I can hear my father laughing and say in my imagination "what a daft name for the park" but calling it the Twickenham Riverside Community Park because that is what it will be. Sincerely Sarah Hathaway Sausilito, California & Strawberry Hill

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13 Nov from Brian & Hildegard McCarthy The Twickenham Riverside Terrace Project has much to commend it and has our full support. One change we would like to see is the relocation of parking to the north of the site. That is, extend the existing service road between King Street and the baths site to take the parking away from the riverside, thereby extending the green area down to the embankment. Brian and Hildegard McCarthy, Strawberry Hill

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22 Oct from Peter Hunter I would like to convey to you my support for your proposed plans for the swimming pool site. Having lived on Eel Pie Island (directly opposite to the swimming pool) for 34 years, I am in favour of seeing the Council prevented from destroying this important asset for the sake of commercial greed. May I enquire as to whether any other options have been considered to provide financial support for your proposal? For example, instead of filling in the swimming pool, would it not be worth considering excavating further and turning the site into an underground car park with your park area on top of it. This could be used to double the existing parking on the Embankment or, indeed, to allow the Embankment to become traffic-free. I wonder whether an approach to someone such as NCP might not result in them financing the construction in return for a suitable period of rent-free occupancy? Personally, I have always favoured driving a lock gate through the middle of the Embankment and excavating the existing swimming pool area into a 'mini marina'. Some suitably expensive power boats would provide work for local boatyards, chandlers and other support industries while acting as a focal point for surrounding waterside cafes and shops. Unfortunately, such a scheme would be expensive and, of course, the Council would not condone providing such a service to the 'undeserving rich' even if it did mean that work and wealth could be generated thereby. Sorry if my cynicism shows - a result of advanced years, experience and my inability to suffer fools gladly. I wish you well with your proposal. Regards Peter Hunter Twickenham

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17 Oct from Robert Tyler I fully support the Twickenham Riverside Terrace scheme in all respects. I have also formally objected to the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames to the Dawnay Day Scheme on the following grounds: 1) Inappropriate use of a site which was purchased in the 1920s, at Ratepayers' expense, for the benefit of Local Citizens' use in perpetuity. 2) Overdevelopment in an area with poor road access creating more traffic and pollution in an already congested area. 3) The inclusion of any form of parking for residents in the development when, as a condition of planning consent, the occupants of the recently constructed cottages in Water Lane are not even permitted to apply for parking permits. One rule for the rich and another for the less well off. 4) The quality of design of the South West elevation facing the river. It gives the impression of cheap two storey beach huts on stilts with a roof line reminiscent of a Second World War Nissen Hut. 5) The design of the elevations facing Water Lane and Wharf Lane which are similar to 1960s army barracks. Additionally, in Water Lane, an unacceptable overshadowing of the attractive modern cottages on the North East side which would no longer even see the sun after early afternoon. Robert Tyler Twickenham

14 Oct from Matthew Davis I have just found your website and would like to register my support for your plans. Matthew Davis Twickenham

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13 Oct from Maureen Beaumont: copy of letter Mr D Barnes Development Control Manager London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Civic Centre 44 York St Twickenham TW1 Dear Sir, Reference: 01/0540/FUL, dated 24 September 2001 I am pleased to note that the plans for the development of the Twickenham Swimming Pool site into a public park and amenity have been granted permission. This is certainly the preferred option amongst my friends, colleagues and acquaintances and I would urge the Council to now make a positive commitment and set a completion date for the project. In making their decisions on this the members of the Council should, perhaps, be mindful of the forthcoming local elections. Yours faithfully H M Beaumont (Mrs)

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12 Oct from Peter Boardman I urge every reader to go this week to the Civic Centre in Twickenham to see what the Dawney Day proposals for building over the Twickenham Old Baths site would really look like. Following the Council’s receipt of their formal planning application there is now a display of the architect’s plans in the second floor reception area. From these large scale plans and isometric views you can get a clear impression of the visual impact of the concrete blocks of flats and commercial shop units they want to build on the Twickenham riverside. It is for these densely grouped inner city-like blocks that the Council wants to sign away the riverside land held in trust for public use and enjoyment. Well over an acre of beautiful riverside space would be lost for ever and virtually none left for free public recreation. The projecting balconies and curved aluminium roofs would despoil the views from all quarters of the river and also the historic view from the top of Richmond Hill. However, there is an alternative, which in fact, already has planning approval. The scheme for the Twickenham Riverside Terrace would provide a landscaped public park (retaining existing mature trees and adding more trees) fronted by a terrace at first floor level with a café, boat hire, etc housed in the arches below. This will be discussed at the public meeting on Monday 15th October at St Mary’s church Hall at 8 o’clock. The supporters of Twickenham Riverside Terrace wish to hear as many opinions as possible at this meeting. Everybody is welcome and all views will be heard. Yours faithfully, Peter Boardman Twickenham

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8 Oct from Ken & Lynne Atkinson Sorry we cannot attend the meeting but we are thoroughly behind your plan and totally against the large-scale developments proposed by the council. We have been active followers of the proposed developments at the the swimming baths site for many years. We usually try to attend meetings where possible. Our feelings are that some small-scale, public amenity, development is much preferable (putting it mildly) to the council's only apparent route of more housing - putting additional load on the town centre and denying residents (and potential visitors) access to our riverside. Ideally we would like to see an eventual development where the riverside vista is opened up from the High Street but appreciate the enormity of such a scheme. Your proposed small-scall approach would not preclude that in the future. Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of local people and we are happy to offer any support that we can. We hope the meeting goes well and look forward to reading comments about it. Ken & Lynne Atkinson, Twickenham

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6 Oct from Rowland Morgan Dawnay Day have done the usual secret canvass of chain shops and restaurants in the City and they have had few or no takers. A similar canvass of cinema operators got no support. The proposal is dead in the water. The only reason the planning application is going ahead is so that the applicants, if successful, can sell the venture on for an intensive apartment-building complex. The public opinion survey carried out by LBRUT was a travesty, and its sponsor has been dismissed. The terrace is the people's choice. with best wishes Rowland Morgan MA DipEd Eel Pie Island

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2 Oct from Ron Chappell The Twickenham Riverside Terrace Garden project is now under way, progressing to detailed drawings, fund raising and consultation with local societies, amenity groups and residents. For the riverside land held in trust by the Council for the citizens of Twickenham the project provides for public benefit, an open space with environmental and amenity gain for both residents and visitors to Twickenham. In brief the project provides single storey buildings which are in harmony with the unique riverside setting of this area. A first floor terrace overlooking the river, with gardens behind. All for river related business and amenity use including a cafe/restaurant. The other existing buildings on the site will be available to accommodate local community groups. In addition there will be ample room to hold the open air events which benefit from a riverside setting. As the public petition demonstrated there is tremendous public support for this project. In order to inform and outline the proposals there will be a meeting at St Marys Church Hall, Church Street, Twickenham at 8pm on the 15 October next. * It will only be by the support and strength of public opinion that the Terrace Gardens will be created. Help to ensure that the Twickenham riverside is kept for public use and pleasure for now and for future generations by making your views known to your elected representatives on the Council. For further information and offers of support or help please contact our Answerphone 020 82551207, Fax No 020 82874604 , write to PO Box 378 Twickenham TW2 5WB.

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5 Sept from Hazell Jackson I have some reservations about a purely park area on the site of the baths as I am still not clear how it would be "patrolled" in the evenings and kept clean and tidy and free from undesirable elements. Have I missed this somewhere? I assume the Council would have neither the will nor the means to do so. (The Continental approach is of course to have some form of well lit bar restaurant on the site with tables and awnings where everyone can sit outside and watch the evening promenade) Hazelle Jackson

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3 Sept from Ron Chappell, Twickenham Planning permission has been granted for the Twickenham Riverside Terrace Project which will create a park at the existing swimming baths site on the Twickenham embankment. It is understood that the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Council is already running a review programme for its parks and open spaces. According to their Best Value Performance Plan for 2001/2002, this review started in April 2000 and is due to finish in Sept 2001. Their Performance Plan gives the total area of Parks and Open Spaces as 461 hectares, and it states that they are regularly used more than twice a week by over 70% of borough residents. The creation of a further park on the Twickenham pool site will increase that area and will help to bring the Borough's provision into line with its commitments. The Performance Plan review has resulted in a Draft Parks Pledge stating a possible service standard to be expected for parks and open spaces. It is claimed that these draft pledges given under separate headings Clean, Safe, Green, and Information/ Communication/Customer care, provide a basis for assessing the current service and possible improvements. Clean: parks and open spaces will be cleared of litter to meet EPA/Tidy Britain Standards. Other pledges deal with dog mess, and graffiti. Safe: all parks and open spaces will be visited by the Parks Constabulary regularly. Other pledges cover park keepers, incidents, problems and a parks helpline. Green: LBRuT will • aim to provide a playground to meet LEAP standards within 400 metres of each resident; • aim to provide a wildlife site within 500 metres of each resident; • aim to provide an area of public open space within 1km of each resident, and a District Park within 2km; • aim to recycle all green waste provided by the service; • maintain one site of horticultural excellence on each side of the River Thames; • provide one major outdoor sporting area on each side of the river Thames. Information/Communication/Customer Care LBRuT will provide a one stop shop/helpline for all enquiries about all things “green”: parks, open spaces, trees, nature conservation, and grounds maintenance in line with the implementation of the access to services review. Other pledges cover enquiries, site management, events, resident surveys and a varied range of sport and recreation opportunities. It is evident that the creation of the Twickenham Riverside Terrace will both benefit from and reinforce these pledges. In particular the draft pledges given under the headings safe and green. The Best Value Performance Plan 2001/2002 now resolves the perceived problem of safety that was first voiced at the Council meeting in February and was the main objection to the proposed Riverside Park tabled at that time.

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28th Aug from Jim Deasley, architect, Twickenham: Having seen the plans, I do feel it lacks something; it is a very literal interpretation of grassing over the pool. There must be room for a third way, maybe the parking moved up the hill next to the service road, stepped pedestrian terraces right down to the water's edge with a fringe of 2 and 3 storey houses on W and N sides (both to finance the scheme and to police it out of hours), and a couple of cafes as well as the boat hire offices. I still hope the pontoon could be achieved, with basic facilities to service passing narrow boat traffic; it would add to the character and interest of the Embankment. Best wishes Jim Deasley

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For more correspondence, see the Riverside Letters at Twickenham online